No. 362 - Identifying and Rejecting Idolatry in Everyday Life

The Call to Spiritual Holiness

Identifying and Rejecting Idolatry in Everyday Life

­1 Corinthians 10:14

"Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." 

Prayer 

Dear God, grant me the wisdom to recognise and reject any form of idolatry in my life. Help me to stay true to You and not be swayed by the distractions of this world. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Background 

In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul warns the believers in Corinth about the dangers of idolatry by reminding them of the Israelites' failures in the wilderness. He explains that although the people were blessed with spiritual privileges, their lack of faith and their participation in idolatrous practices led to their downfall. In verse 14, Paul urges Christians to flee from idolatry, stressing that it is not just about physical idols but also about putting anything before God in our lives. This call to flee from idolatry is a call to keep our devotion pure and focused on God alone.

Be Encouraged 

Identifying and rejecting idolatry can be challenging, but it is essential for living a life that honours God. For example, if someone finds themselves spending more time and energy on material possessions or personal achievements than on their relationship with God, they might be placing these things above their faith. By recognising this and making changes to prioritise God, they can realign their life to reflect their commitment to Him. This can lead to a more fulfilling and spiritually enriched life.

Application 

In Colossians 3:5, Paul instructs us to “put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” This verse reminds us that anything we desire more than God can become an idol. Consider someone who constantly chases after financial success, allowing it to dictate their decisions and priorities. By realigning their focus on God and trusting Him for their needs, they can avoid making wealth an idol.

Another relevant verse is 1 John 5:21, which says, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” This simple yet powerful command reinforces the importance of guarding our hearts against anything that could take God's place. In practical terms, this means examining our own lives for anything that might compete with our devotion to God and making adjustments as needed.

Invitation 

If you have not yet surrendered your life to Christ, I encourage you to visit a nearby Church of Christ where you can learn how to obey the gospel of Christ. By exercising faith (Hebrews 11:6), repenting of your sins (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31), and being baptised for the forgiveness of your sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38), you can begin a new journey with God. The Lord will add you to His church, where you will continue to learn more about Him and apply His commandments in your life (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:47). Embrace this call to spiritual holiness and make the choice to reject idolatry today. Share this message with others who need to hear it and encourage them to follow Christ.

Concluding Prayer 

Thank You, Lord, for revealing the importance of rejecting idolatry in my life. Help me to stay focused on You and to remove anything that may come between us. I am grateful for Your guidance and strength. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

May the Lord bless your day.

 

Theodore J. Quist 

Evangelist 

Church of Christ 

Abokobi - Accra 

Ghanaz

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